Where to Go Next? Examining the Effect of Franchise Expansion and Location on Game-Level Attendance in Major League Soccer

Dirk Semmelroth, Bernd Frick, Robert Simmons and Hojun Sung

Journal of Sports Economics, 2022, vol. 23, issue 5, 524-547

Abstract: Using a large dataset with over 4,000 game-level observations from Major League Soccer over the period 2006 to 2019 we investigate the determinants of attendance demand. Focusing on franchise expansion and location effects, we find that some decisions made by the organization had positive impacts on league revenues. While going to cities with a large population and already hosting nearby NFL or NBA teams is positively associated with game attendance, the presence of geographically close MLB and NHL teams is detrimental to MLS revenues. Our results suggest a need for a more nuanced and selective approach to MLS expansion policy.

Keywords: demand; league revenues; franchise placement; professional team sports (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:jospec:v:23:y:2022:i:5:p:524-547

DOI: 10.1177/15270025211067795

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